Up until now the choices have actually been rather spartan when you compare the tablet market to the PC space. That is about to change in the next two months... and prices are going to reflect the change. (Though I doubt right away, it will take some time to shake it all out)

New tablets coming soon:

Windows 8 tablets: these are the most interesting due to the fact that they can double as a laptop and run x86 based programs. In theory these should dominate the market over time but in reality pricing will determine their adoption rate. Color me skeptical for now.

Windows RT: meh... basically windows version of an Android or iOS tablet, I see very limited potential here but who knows.

iPad Mini: Also will depend on pricing. If it isn't at least CLOSE to the $200 price point, I can't see any compelling reason to purchase one other than the typical Apple fan "have to have the cool new thing" factor. Of course, we know jack shite about their specs so I could be way off here... but it's always good to have more choices.

As for all the other Android tablets... I see a number of major price drops heading our way.. take a look at the new Kindle Fire HD 8.9 at $299 and the Nook HD+ at $269.. that's unreal. We are about to have quality tablets getting close to the $250 mark.

EDITED TO ADD RUMORS:

Google is supposedly releasing a $99 tablet and a 10.1" Nexus with REALLY high end specs (made by Samsung) both are rumored to start manufacturing in December.

I think most people in your situation would ultimately decide the desktop is the one to go.

I've completely settled in with my iPad.

I use my laptop for work and my Android for making phone calls. I use the iPad for basically EVERYTHING else.

Laptop for work, iPad for basically everything else.

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That rabbit is crazy; I'm Brian Waters!

Kotter: "You are lucky I'm truly not the vindictive or psycho type...I'd be careful from now on, and I'd just back the hell off if I were you....otherwise, the Mizzou "extension office" life might get exciting"

I have a similar setup - office with a desk, only play console games, etc.

What it came down to was that I like to be able to use productivity/desktop apps from places other than my desk. So the laptop won out over the desktop.

Me too. I use the desktop for production and because I have a 22" monitor which I sit very close to. I love the huge monitor and big freakin keyboard. I love the spaciousness.

I think the reason I do NOT like the laptop is because it's like a small desktop. Whereas I like the tablet because it's like a huge smartphone that can do so much..

The laptop just isn't comfortable.

__________________Meet the new boss same as the old boss.

BigChiefDave:"Anyone who thought we would only be in Iraq for a few years is either stoned or just stoopid."
"It is unknowable how long that conflict will last. It could last 6 days, 6 wks. I doubt 6 mths." Rummy 2/7/03

I have my laptop setup at my desk with 22" monitor, keyboard, and mouse on a docking station.

In all respects, AT MY DESK, it IS a desktop. But if I want to get up and take it in the other room, or with me on the road, I can.

Well, that is what I plan to do now that my desktop is starting to show it's age.

Time to build another one. Which is another reason I like desktops. I'm perfectly fine taking one a part and fiddling and fixing. A laptop...not so much.

__________________Meet the new boss same as the old boss.

BigChiefDave:"Anyone who thought we would only be in Iraq for a few years is either stoned or just stoopid."
"It is unknowable how long that conflict will last. It could last 6 days, 6 wks. I doubt 6 mths." Rummy 2/7/03

I used to be that way. Built dozens of PCs actually. I'm pretty comfortable taking laptops apart and fixing them.

However, I'm to the point now that if it isn't something I can fix, pull the HDD and throw the rest away.

Heh, I think that's how most of us are anymore. It's funny, I remember back in the 90s we geeks used to sit around and talk about specs and laugh at people who bought all in one motherboards. Now days everything has become all in one again and completely disposable.

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Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning:

Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down.

That's what I've got. I paid more for a laptop with a docking station. It is a 13.3" with respectable capacity.

That's why I haven't put money in a tablet. Other than the neato factor, I can't pick up any functionality.

The thing is, as versatile as I've made my setup for the laptop, it still can't compete with the iPad for convenience.

Tablet OS'es are MUCH less bloated, which allows one to "sleep" instead of shutdown. Windows has to be shut down periodically so that it doesn't go schizoid. The iPad also doesn't have to be tethered to a power cord 90% of the time, either.

So if I've been watching TV for a couple hours and decide I want to look something up on the net, I'm reaching for the tablet because I can flip open the cover, do my search, read the output, and put the tablet away again, all in the time it would take my Windows laptop to BOOT.

The thing is, as versatile as I've made my setup for the laptop, it still can't compete with the iPad for convenience.

Tablet OS'es are MUCH less bloated, which allows one to "sleep" instead of shutdown. Windows has to be shut down periodically so that it doesn't go schizoid. The iPad also doesn't have to be tethered to a power cord 90% of the time, either.

So if I've been watching TV for a couple hours and decide I want to look something up on the net, I'm reaching for the tablet because I can flip open the cover, do my search, read the output, and put the tablet away again, all in the time it would take my Windows laptop to BOOT.

I guess I am a little different.

I use my laptop for work too (docking station at home and at the office), so it gets shut down regularly. And I replaced the battery a year or so ago, so it will sleep all evening while I'm at home. If I use it much, I have to plug it in, but you have to do that with an Ipad also.

Coincidentally, my buddy has an Ipad, and every time I hop on it to check the weather or whatever, it has like 3% battery left.